Compare the2024 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2024 Ford Explorer

The Traverse has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Explorer doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Traverse has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Cross Traffic Braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Cross Traffic Braking costs extra on the Explorer.

Both the Traverse and the Explorer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, front parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

The Traverse’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Explorer’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Traverse first among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Explorer was rated second.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 9th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 65 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 23rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 2 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 28 more horsepower (328 vs. 300) and 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 310) than the Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Traverse gets better mileage than the Explorer:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Traverse uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Explorer requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Traverse FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Explorer 2.3-liter’s standard fuel tank (19.4 vs. 17.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 20.2 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Traverse higher (6 out of 10) than the Ford Explorer (5 to 6). This means the Traverse produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Explorer every 15,000 miles.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Explorer’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ford Explorer only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Explorer (121 inches vs. 119.1 inches).

The Traverse uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Explorer doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Traverse offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Explorer can only carry 7.

The Traverse has 4.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Explorer (157 vs. 152.7).

The Traverse has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room, 2.5 inches more rear legroom, .3 inches more rear shoulder room, 7.7 inches more third row hip room and 3.1 inches more third row shoulder room than the Explorer.

The Traverse’s cargo area provides more volume than the Explorer.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Traverse RS’ second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Explorer doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The Traverse uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Explorer uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Traverse’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Explorer does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Traverse’s standard front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Explorer’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

The Traverse has standard Keyless Access that allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Explorer XLT/Limited/ST-Line/Timberline/King Ranch/ST/Platinum offers Intelligent Access.

The Traverse’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Explorer XLT/Limited/ST-Line/Timberline/King Ranch/ST/Platinum.

When the Traverse RS is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Explorer’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Traverse has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Explorer.